Switch mechanism



May 5, l931- R. P. LANSING '1,803,908

SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Oct. 25, 1928 ll "ul/lll: Il' Il' I H m70. L1 ttornegs all Patented .May 5, 1931 UNrrED sTATEs PATENT oFFlc RAYMOND r. LANSING, on MoN'rcLAm, NEW JERSEY, AssIGNon. To Ecmrsn imcnINn COMPANY, on nimma HEIGHTS, NEW Yonx, A coaronn'rroN or Naw Yonx SWITCH MECHANISM Application led October 23, 1928.l Serial No. 314,482.

This invention. relates to solenoid switches, and more particularly to a magnetic solenoid switch of the type which is frequently used to control electrical circuits for starting mo- 5 tors for internal combustion .en 'nes.

Switches of this type have een used in order to provide a remote control for the starting switch, so thatlthe' starting switch ma be located directly between the battery' starting motor, thus allowing the battery leads to be as short as possible, whilea remote control switch may be locatedn the dash of the vehicle or in any other convenient location for the operator.

Such devices as heretofore proposed, however, have been 'subject to serious defects in operation, chief amongwhich have been the burning and sticking of themovable contact member causing failure of the switch to operate, or to release. Moreover, unless the solenoid is highly eflicient it causes4 an undue drain on the battery through the solenoid coil,

lthus reducing the effective Venergy of the battery available for actuating the starting n10-` tor.

and in case of a failure of the engine to start on the rst trial this current must be broken by the starting switch. The arcing caused by t breaking thisheavy current', increased by the self inductance of the motor windings, causes the contacts in the starting switch to burn and stick unless means such as a heavy release spring is used to break the contact quickly and positively. On the other hand, a heavy release spring requires. a corresponding in crease in the power of th'e solenoid and a consequent increase in drain upon the battery unless meansl are provided to increase the efti ciency of the solenoid. Furthermore, the magnetic reluctance of a large and powerful magnet with its iron casing retards the break- ,ing of the contacts which tends to increase the arcing and burning of the latter.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solenoid switch which is positive in action, but which operates with small current consumption. p It is another object of the invention to provide such a device which embodies a release spr-ing amply strong to insure a positive,

quick break under all circumstances.

Another object is to rovide a 'device of the above character whic is designed to have a highly efficient magnetic circuit, causing firm effective contact without undue current consumption.

A ,further object is the provision ofl such a' device which is comparatively small and light so as to provide a quick, clean break of the contacts. i

Another object is the provision of such a device which is inexpensive to manufacture, and in which the parts may be readily assembled or taken down for inspection or replacement.

-Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the disclosure in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawings-l- F'g. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled device constituting one embodiment of the present invention;

stamping. The member 10 is closed atitsopen end by a plate 11 which extends laterally therefrom and is provided with arms 12 forming a bracket by which the switch may be mount ed upon the casing of the starting motor,

which is dia ammatically indicated in y dotted lines in able support.

` A terminal plate 13 of non-magnetic maJ terial is secured onthe outer face of the closure plate 11 by suitable means such as screws 14 which traverse the two plates and are threaded into' the shell 10 to hold the parts in assembled relation. Terminal plate 13 is r. provided centrally thereof with an outwardig. 2, pr upon any other suit-v gu arly related openings 16 in which terminal members 17 and 18 for heavy motor and battery cables 17 and 18 of the motor circuit are mounted. These terminal members are in the form of threaded bolts of good conducting material, such as copper or brass, having heads 19 and 20 which overlap the edges of openings 16 within kthe portion 15 and act as the stationary contacts of the switch. Suitable nuts 21 are'threaded onto the outer portions of the bolts for securing the same to the terminal plate' 13 and for attaching the motory and battery cables to said bolts. A strip of insulating material 22, and suitable insulating washers 23 are interposed between the terminal plate 13 and the heads. and nuts of the terminal members 17 and 184A in order to prevent electrical contact thereof with the terminal plate.

The closure plate 11 is provided with a -central 'opening 24, and a lguideA member 25 is mounted with its outer end suitably fixed in said opening as by means of the lip 26expanded therein. The member 25 extends inlwardly vfrom the closure plate into shell 10 concentrically therewith, and constitutes a4 fixed magnetic pole 4piece vfor the solenoid. A connecting member in the form of a rod 27 of non-magnetic material is mounted to a slide freely within guide `member and pole piece 25, and is provided at its outer end With a contact plate 28 which may beswiveled thereon and is insulated therefrom in anysuitable way as by means of the insulating material 29 in which said contact plateis imbedded. Contactplate 28 is located intermediate terminal heads 19 and 2O and clo-v sure plate 11 and is adapted to contact evenly with said heads and short circuit the terminal members 17 and 18 when the rod27 is moved toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 2.

Connecting member 27 carries on the end thereof which extends into shell 10 a plunger 30 of magnetic material having a slightly smaller diameter than the outside diameter of guide member 25. The plungerfis suitably fixed to said connecting member as by means of a pin 48 and serves as a movable pole piece to cooperate with the fixed pole piece 25. A spring 32 islocated .on member 27 between the pole pieces 25 and 30i'seating in a recess 32 in pole piece 30 and normally maintaining said member in a positionsuch f that movable contact 28 is out of engagement 4with terminal heads 19 and 20.

The shell 10 is provided with a cylindrical extension 31 at its closed end having an internal diameter sli htly greater than the external diameter' o the movable pole piece 30. Said pole piece is arran ed,

to telescope Within said extension so t at no gap is formed between the shell and the inner end ofsaid pole piece in any operative projecting portion 15 having a pair of an- A spool 33 of suitable insulating mateadapted to fit closely within said shellv and yaround the guide member and pole piece 25 on the closure plate 11. Spool 33 carries a solenoidl winding 34 having terminal postsl 35 and 36 which extend outwardly through openings 37 and 38 in the shell member 10 and which are insulated from the' shell by means of suitable bushings 39 and 40. Terminals 35 and 36 are fixed to the inner head rial is located within the shell 10, and is which includes a remote control switch of any suitable type (not shown) and a source of current such asa battery, are provided with terminals 44 and 45 which are clamped to the terminal posts 35 and 36 by suitable plete except for the gap between the guide member 25 and plunger 30, said gap being normally maintained by the spring 32.

When the control circuit through the solenoid windi'n 3 4 is closed b the operator in any suita le manner as y means of the remote control switch located on the dash ofthe vehicle, the magnetic flux produced in said'winding 34 will move vthe plunger 30 forcibly to the left as viewed in Fig-2, compressing'the spring 32 and forcica ing the contact plate 28 into intimate engagey ment with the terminal heads 19 and 20 of the main starting circuit. This closessaid main circuit through the battery and-starting motor, and causes the oper/ation ofthe motor to vstart the engine. When the control switch is opened bythe operator, the

magnetic flux of the solenoid drops almost instantly to zero, and spring 32 instantly and forcibly retracts the rod 27 carrying'contact plate 28 away from the terminaf heads 19 and 20 in spite' of any burning together of the surfaces thereof 'which may have taken place, andso rapidly that any appreciable amount of arcing is prevented.

Although the sprlng 32 is suliciently 'strong and stiff to forcibly retract the contact member 28 even though it should become burned totheterminal heads 19 and 20, never thelessthe eiiciency ofthe solenoid circuit is so great that` the contacts will be closed and held in firm engagement so long as the Abattery is in condition to operate the starting motor, and withoutl diverting any serious proportlon of the energy of the battery from its primary function of operating said motor.

,It will be noted that assembling the above ly the shell 10, the spool 33, the movableA contact and cover vplate assembly and the terminal plate assembly may all be readily tted one to the other, the spool being retained by the clamping nuts 41 on the control circuit terminals and 36, and the remaining elements being held in assembled relation by means of the cap screwsl4.

Although but one embodiment of the invention has been shown and described indetail, it is to be understood that the illustrated embodiment is not exclusive, and various other embodiments will, now suggestthem'- selves to those skilled in the art, while changes may be made in the construction, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the s irit of the i11- vention. Reference .is there ore to be had to the claims hereto appended for a definition of the limits of the invention. What is claimed is:

1. In a solenoid switch, a shell closed at one end, an insulating spool within said shell and secured thereto at its closed end, a solenoid coil carried b said spool, closure means for the shell em odying a magnetic pole piece, switch operating means embodying a slidable pole piece adjacent said first named pole piece, said spool constituting a guiding member for said slidable pole piece, and means for Vyieldably separating the pole pieces.

2. In a solenoid switch, a shell closed at one end, a solenoid coil within the shell and secured thereto at said end, closure means for the shell embodying a magnetic pole piece,a rod of non-magnetic material slidably mounted in the closure means, a pole piece mountedv on said rod adjacent the rst pole piec`e,- means yieldably separating the pole pieces, a movable contact plate carried by the rod, and angularly disposed terminal 'members carried byfsaid shell for engagement with said contact plate.

3. In a solenoid switch, a shell formed as a cup-shaped stamping, a solenoid coil fixed therein, closure -means for the shell embodying a magnetic ole piece, a non-magnetic polepiece, amovableswitch member on said connecting member outside the shell, a magnetic pole piece mounted on and secured to said connecting member within the shell, a terminal plate having angularly disposed surfaces carried by said shell, terminal members extending throughsaid angularly disposed surfaces and adapted to be engaged by said movable switch member, and means for yieldabl separating the pole pieces.

4. In a so enoid switch, a cup-shaped shell of magnetic material, a solenoid coil therein,

means detachably fixing the coil to the bottom of the shell including members extending through the shell and constituting terminal posts for said coil, a closure member for the shell embodying a pole piece for the solenoid, switch operating means slidably mounted within the solenoid and embodying a non-magnetic rod and a second -pole piece for the solenoid, and means between the pole pieces for yieldingly thrusting them apart.

5. In a solenoid switch, a cup-shaped shell of magnetic material, an insulating spool therein, a solenoid coil wound on said spool, means detachably fixingv said spool to the bottom of the shell,l a closure and mounting means detachably connected to the shell and embodying a pole piece for the solenoid, switch terminalsdetachably mounted adjacent the closure means, a switch member mounted to cooperate therewith, operating means therefor including a knon-magnetic connecting memberand a second pole piece for the solenoid secured thereto, and means between the pole pieces for yieldably thrusting them apart. A

6. In a magnetic switch, a cup-shaped shell member, aclosure member for the open end thereof having a central guide member forming one pole piece of the magnet, a plunger slidably mounted in telescopic relation with the bottom of the cup in alinement with the guide member, normally spaced therefrom and forming the second ole piece ofthe magnet, a solenoid coil wit inthe cup and surrounding the pole pieces,'an integral contact plate having angularly disposed faces actuated by said plunger, a terminal plate secured to the shell and having a projecting portion,

and angularly disposed terminal members extending through said terminal plate and adapted to be engaged by said contact plate.

7. In a solenoid switch, a cup-shaped shell of magnetic material, a solenoid coil therein,

means detachably securing the solenoid to the bottom' of the shell, a closure and mounting means detachably secured to the shell' with angularly related openings in the sides I j' thereof, a pair of insulated terminal members connecting mem er slidable through said 8. In a solenoid switch, a cup-shaped shell of magnetic material, a solenoid coil therein, means detachably securin the solenoid to the bottom of the shell, a c osure and mounting means detachably secured to the shell and embodying one pole piece for the solenoid,a terminal plate of non-magnetic material secured to the closure means and having an outwardly projecting central portion with angularly related openings in the sides thereof, a pair of insulated terminal members mounted in said openings and having con-v tact heads within the terminal plate, a connecting member slidably mounted in said closure means and first pole iece, an insulated contact member mounted) thereon adj acent the terminal heads, a magnetic plunger secured to said connecting member within the solenoid and constituting a movable pole piece for said solenoid, said plunger having "an axial recess opening towardl the first said pole piece, a spring mounted 'in said recess and normally separating said pole. pieces,y said shell having an axial extension in its bottom, and the inner end of said plunger being arranged to telescope within said ex.

tension of theshell.

9. In a solenoid switch, a cup-shaped shell of magnetic material, an insulating spool therein, means dctachably securin said spool tothe bottom of the shell, a so enoid coil Wound on said s ool, a closure plate of magnetic material dbtachably connected to the open end of the shell and having an enlarged central portion forming one polepiece for the solenoid, said portion roJecting tightly within the bore of said spoo a terminal plate Vof non-magnetic material secured to the shell and having an outwardly projecting central portion with angularly related o gs in the sides thereof, a pair of insulated terminal members mounted 1n said openings and having inte al contact headswithm the terminal p ate, a movable contact member mounted adjacent said terminal heads and. adapted to be moved to bridge said heads,,a plunger of magnetic materia loosely guided' withln the bore of said spool and constituting a second pole piece for the solenoid, a non-magnetic rod rigidly connecting said plunger and said movable switch member and slidably mounted within said rst pole piece, and yielding means mounted on said rod and interposed between said first4 and second pole. pieces for normally maintaining the contacts 'and pole pieces separated.

tid

In testimony whereof I havesgned this specification. v

RAYMOND l?. LANSING. 

